Few Americans realize exactly how big the American Nazi Party and the American Communist Party was right after World War II. The American government was concerned that its people would become Nazis so . . . they introduced a lot of English and Russian Discemination. They made this nifty lingo stuff kind of fun and interesting and it was a VERY good counter-move to brutal Nazi moves. England has always had a Nationalism flair (and pomp) and Russia was always good for Socialism. Thus, from our allies we Americans got ways to prod a lazy neighbor into the funkness of trying to reach the future dome citys without the REALLY dumb brutality of . . . Germans angry at Victorians. That's all WWII was - and all Germans REALLY wanted was food. At the end of The Great War (WWI) - in Germany you could bring in a wheelbarough full of money and get only a loaf of bread. Anyway, we told the Germans that the morons who did all that to them weren't right in the head and that it won't happen again, Patton made no moves to de-Nazify Germany and just kept the same folks running the trains and keeping the phones working. The Nazi thing had to be tweaked (removing the sadism) . . . and that's it. America felt no need to subjugate Socially liberal Germans.

"Stalag 17" is a great example of the nifty discemination used after WWII. I loved the characters: "Blondie" (reminds me of Bob Weir) "Harry Shapero" (Reminds me of Mickey Hart) "Animal" (there's Jerry - totally) and of course Mr. Septon (Bill Grahm - all business). Those boys really got it right and of course the Vigilante guy was shown to be dumb and too violent which makes the movie very good art in my opinion. Makes me think about the stupitidy of Gay Bashing more than anything else . . . probably since I started going to the, "Rocky Horror Picture Show" at age 13 when my brother took me - he was "Staff" at the theatre and performed in front of the screen nightly.

Anyway, I still have some negative vibes but feel a little better after working out shirtless a lot with a young guy that comes over frequently. I really wish I could post Youtube movies because if I could I would post that scene where the hellicopters are playing the song, "Flight of the Valkyries" in the movie, "Apocalypse Now". I think that's a classic scene - it it would raise the consciousness of my fellow Deadheads - they would simultaneously think about Vietnam (the war during the 60s and Jerry's reign) . . . possibly Bush, and the current war. My Uncle William Rose was in charge of B52s during Vietnam, was sprayed with Agent Orange, got a horrible disease from it years later . . . and constantly says in public that the whole war was a lie.

Wouldn't it be great if folks said, "This war isn't wrong - this war isn't caused by the White Christian Boogyman . . . it's all just a lie man. Something made up - like a bad song."

Just listening to the Grateful Dead would be considered a public service... even better if played very loud (so long as other Deadheads and fans would appreciate). I would make The Davids honorary Dudes and I would make both shows (Tapers Section and GD Hour) National Treasures at the same status as the Declaration of Independence and the Liberty Bell. Finally I would legalize pot outright, along with provisions to aid and tax growers with a 10 year moratorium on large commercial operations... the genetic tampering of all plant DNA would be punishable by life in prison, if the intention is to corner commercial markets. Psychedelics would become recognized as the Sacraments they are and subject to guidelines as directed by those who understand them fully and not some racist, European descendant, DEA agent (jackass) as it stands today. In terms of religion, there would be no secularization as in some parts of Europe but all religion would be demoted socially/politically and it's revenue/land holdings taxed the same as other business.
That is all... for now.

"The task is, not so much to see what no one has yet seen; but to think what nobody has yet thought, about that which everybody sees." - Erwin Schrödinger

Thats the best idea i've ever heard of!!! If there gonna clone someone, why not be Jerry!! Wow!! Just stop and think about that for a minute. WOW!! Thats blowin my mind!!
"You can never stop learning,"
Phatmoye

In the 60's they did play lots for free!
So even though I don't like the idea of anyone ruling the world I think if there was more of the Deadhead spirit around there would be lots more sharing and caring and peace towards others and all beings and our planet..

If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite.
William Blake

I believe Jeryy played because he wanted to play. I don't think he ever thought of being rich or The Grateful Dead ever being as big as they are now. I truly believe in the 60s that they would of played almost for free.
"You can never stop learning,"
Phatmoye

also said, "I tell you there's no problems, only solutions." Perhaps a bit more concise than Imagine, but (to me, at least) equally indicative of the mindset. What's that thing that Mickey says after the shows?

I play guitar, too, but I don't play just like Jerry. I play just like me. I can make a passable hack at about 70 tunes the Dead were known to play, although some of those are actually covers, about 20 of my own originals, and a smattering of other stuff by The Doors, The Stones, The Beatles and a few others. If people want to lay a dollar down for that, that's cool. If not, that's cool too. I'm happy enough just to stimulate some sort of reaction. People will make of it what they will, and I wouldn't dream of asking more.

Conversation is always more interesting than recitation, so speak your mind and not someone else's.

there would be no huge egos harshing our space from day to day. i think it would be like the view john lennon had of things when he wrote Imagine. Imagine all the people, sharing all the world. yea, i AM a dreamer.

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